After several sightings reported in the Redruth area, and further police searches, he was located at the Rising Sun pub and restaurant in St Mawes.

Staff there had recongised him from press reports of the search for him over the past week. They confirmed his identity by asking the 24-year-old from Camborne for ID to prove he was old enough to drink.

He was identified at 9pm yesterday (November 4) and they then called Devon and Cornwall Police. Officers arrived at 10.30pm and returned him to Bodmin Hospital, from where he was been reported missing on October 28. He was being treated there for mental health issues, including schizophrenia.

Inspector Howard Brugge, from the force control room, said there had been sightings throughout the day in the Redruth, Tehidy Woods, United Downs and St Day areas.

He had stayed the previous night, Friday night (November 3), in a caravan on someone's property. Inspector Brugge said "he had not caused any damage and the owner was not particularly upset but reported it to us".

Someone had reported seeing him at Illogan Woods on November 1. He was also said to have been seen yesterday at Tehidy Woods, which the police believed to be a credible sighting and prompted further searches in that area.

He was also said to have been seen at United Downs and Cusgarne.

Inspector Brugge said he had a couple of drinks and was talking to local people at the Rising Sun when the staff realised who he was and asked him for ID.

He added: "He was a little bit distressed. Safe and well might be going a bit far. He was unharmed.

"He was talking to local peoplle and the staff asked for his ID to check if it was him."

Missing Thomas Mugford

His mother Denise Dee Sinkins said she had been so exhausted she had gone to sleep early last and was awoken by a call from her daughter, Jenny Mugford, and then heard from Thomas' father, Vivian Mugford.

She told Cornwall Live: "It's brilliant. I'm absolutely relieved. I even slept in this morning.

"I had gone to bed and was asleep and at about 11.45 my daughter woke me with the news. She just told me he had been found and was on his way back to Bodmin.

"Someone recognised him and called the police. How on Earth he got from Cusgarne, where he was spotted yesterday, to St Mawes I don't know.

"Everyone is feeling amazing. His dad rang me to make sure I had heard. We had not spoken or seen each other in donkey's years. He said he was in tears when he found out.

"My plan today is to call the hospital and check on him and then wait for when Tom is ready before I go rushing to see him.

"I will work with the hospital. He will have so many people around him so I probably would not even be able to get near him today and will see him when things have calmed down for him."

She was also grateful to the public and everyone who helped search for Thomas.

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She added: "I just want to thank everybody so very, very much who has helped and seen him and listened to us as we were going knocking on doors and into shops.

"We would not have found him if the public were not aware."

His sister Jenny had posted to her Facebook post yesterday stating that Thomas was spotted at 10am in Cusgarne on foot wearing the same clothes since the previous Saturday – a blue hoody and grey bottoms.

Thomas Mugford is missing

She said: “He asked a man for a fag (which he didn't have) and then asked him for directions to the nearest shop. He appeared to be disorientated and lost.

“He doesn't know the Cusgarne area, however he is likely to head towards a shop in Gwennap/Lanner/Stithains/ Carrharrack area as he will be needing tobacco.

“All the sightings have been because myself and my dad and Tom's friends have been out searching every day, knocking on doors, asking people making our own enquiries going to shops with pictures, etc.”

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His mum had said yesterday: “They had been following a digital trail and know what he has bought and where and found out he spent two nights in a caravan near United Downs, but the person didn’t think to report it to police.

“The food bought with his bank card matches that found there. He seems to be resourceful and resilient and is a real Bear Grylls. He is one of life’s survivors and is resourceful and it seems he is eating and drinking.

“However we don’t know if he just wants to be away from everything or whether it is because of his illness. His phone is turned off or out of battery.”